TAKE 2
Sell an alternative break in the wild with Clare Vooght’s guide to less-visited nature destinations
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emand for nature trips is still riding high, but what if your clients
have ticked off some of the more obvious destinations? To arm you with suggestions for something different, we’ve come up with a few alternative nature spots. If they loved Costa Rica, Belize
offers lush forest and waterfall hikes aplenty, along with wildlife from jaguars to tapirs – not to mention the added attractions of Mayan ruins, uncrowded beaches and world-class diving. While the unspoiled forests of Sweden might be among the first to spring to mind when it comes to Nordic nature, Estonia is fast gaining attention for its nature-conservation
28 SEPTEMBER 2023
efforts and offers just as much design-led accommodation options as its Scandinavian neighbour. South Africa may be a popular safari destination, but Namibia offers an opportunity to get away from the crowds and out into vast, open, otherworldly landscapes, while still providing opportunities to spot the big five. With all this to see, not only does selling an alternative nature break give adventurous clients a slice of the undiscovered, it also helps to promote sustainable tourism by spreading bookings out to less-visited countries. There’s never been a better time to sell an off-the-beaten- path foray into the wild.
LIKE THIS? SWEDEN
With forest covering 70% of the country, pristine nature isn’t in short supply in Sweden – and for hiking trails, clients can choose from a range of backdrops. Major draws include the wildflower meadows of Ängsö, the primeval woodland of Tyresta National Park (home to 8,000 animal species) and the marshes, mountains and glaciers of Swedish Lapland.
ESTONIA
WHY GO: With unspoiled forest covering more than half of the country, biodiverse Estonia has been nicknamed the ‘Amazon of the Nordic countries’. It also came fifth in the Sustainable Travel Index 2023, thanks in part to its nature conservation.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Hikers and wild swimmers will enjoy the lush forests, wetlands and beaches of Lahemaa National Park, on the northern coast, an hour from the capital Tallinn (European Green Capital for 2023). The protected area is home to moose, wild boars, bears and lynx, and attracts migratory birds. The wetlands in the southerly Soomaa National Park go
through a ‘fifth season’, when springtime melts the snow and you can canoe across flooded meadows, roads and lower forests. ÖÖD Mirror Cabins offer a unique way to stay in Estonia’s wilderness. Mirrored walls help them to blend into the trees, while bringing the floor-to-ceiling woodland views inside. BOOK IT: Regent’s five-day Tallinn City Break & Nature Escape costs from £995 for travel in May 2024, including flights from Gatwick, two nights’ accommodation in Tallinn and two nights in an ÖÖD Mirror Cabin in Rooslepa.
regent-holidays.co.uk
TRY THIS
travelweekly.co.uk
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